Method and apparatus for conducting a ring-in game

ABSTRACT

A wireless communications device for use in a wireless network is capable of being invited to participate in a ring-in game, via the wireless network. The wireless communications device includes a memory capable of storing an electronic personal identification number associated with the ring-in game and a main processor associated with the memory capable of communicating with the wireless network, wherein the main processor receives at least a first invitation to participate in a ring-in game.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This application contains technical disclosure in common with U.S.patent application Ser. No. 11/320,232, filed on 27 Dec. 2005 andentitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONDUCTING A SWEEPSTAKES”.

2. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for conducting aring-in game. In particular, the present invention relates to a methodand apparatus for conducting a ring-in game in which a user purchases amulti-function personal identification card for goods and servicesunrelated to the game, and in return, as a promotional bonus, isprovided one or more entries into certain promotional sweepstakes games.

3. Description of Related Art

Sweepstakes, raffles, and lotteries have been around for centuries.People enjoy the experience of entering a sweepstakes and hoping to winthe “grand” prize. In most sweepstakes, the participant purchases aticket, or entry, for a nominal amount of money in exchange for a chanceto win prizes that are valued significantly higher than the cost of theticket. Most often, the odds of the participant of winning the bestprizes are very high. However, to entice new participants to play, tokeep participants interested in playing the sweepstakes, or to enticethe participants to play the sweepstakes again, prizes having nominalvalues close to or below the cost of the entry are often awarded. Theparticipant's odds of winning these nominally valued prizes aretypically close to 1:1.

Although the sweepstakes industry is heavy regulated, it remains verylarge and lucrative. Indeed, with the advent in recent years of prepaidvouchers, such as prepaid gasoline cards, prepaid credit cards, andprepaid phone cards, new games of chance and methods of conductingsweepstakes have been developed. For example, one of these new games ofchance involves the purchase of a $1.00 “emergency” prepaid phone cardthat provides about one minute of telephone airtime and an entry in agame of chance. In this example, a person inserts currency into a gameterminal and, in return, receives a corresponding number of $1.00“emergency” prepaid phone cards.

The prepaid phone cards used in these games are typically multi-layeredor folded pieces of paper or cardboard that are preprinted and stored ona roll inside the game terminal. The prepaid phone cards used in thesegames are “read-only” devices that can only be read by card readers inthe game terminal. Once these prepaid phone cards are printed, the datacannot be changed and no more data can be added. Certain indicia isprinted on each $1.00 prepaid phone card, including a personalidentification number (PIN) that is required to use the prepaid phonecards from any telephone, bar codes, and other graphical indicia thatinstruct the game terminal on what images to display and what prizes, ifany, have been won. Thus, the “winning” and “losing” prepaid phone cardsare predetermined.

One problem with these games is that each game terminal is a separatestand-alone machine. Because the prepaid phone cards are preprinted,there is no need or capability to interconnect or network the gameterminals together. This greatly reduces the number, type, and style ofgames that can be played. In other words, the participants cannot choosebetween different games, cannot compete against each other on differentgame terminals, and cannot play the game over computer networks, such asthe Internet. In addition, the game terminals cannot be monitored andmaintained from a remote location over a computer network.

Another problem with these types of games of chance is that mostparticipants purchase the prepaid phone card for the sole purpose ofentering the game of chance, not to use the prepaid phone cards to buytelephone airtime. When the participant purchases the prepaid phonecards, he participates in the game of chance, whether he wants to ornot. Because people only purchase these “emergency” prepaid phone cardsto participate in the game, the regulatory authorities in manyjurisdictions have determined that these games are illegal lotteries.The reasoning is that, because the prepaid phone card has a nominalvalue, the participants are giving consideration merely to play a gameof chance, not to buy and use the prepaid phone cards to make telephonecalls. This is evidenced by the fact that these $1.00 prepaid phonecards are often found unused in trash receptacles outside ofestablishments that sell such prepaid phone cards and offer such gamesof chance.

Although there have been great strides made in the area of conductingsweepstakes, many shortcomings remain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for a game in which a user purchases a multi-functionpersonal identification (PID) card for valuable goods and servicesunrelated to the game, and, in return, receives one or more free gameentries that can be used to participate in one or more sweepstakes-typegames.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide anapparatus and method for conducting a ring-in game in which a userpurchases an electronic personal identification card for valuable goodsand services unrelated to a game, and, on a transactional basis, isprovided with a single optional entry into a first ring-in game and acorresponding number of optional entries into other ring-in games.

This object is achieved by providing a wireless communications devicecapable of being invited to participate in a ring-in game via a wirelessnetwork. The wireless communications device comprises a memory capableof storing an electronic personal identification number associated withthe ring-in game and a main processor associated with the memory capableof communicating with the wireless network, wherein the main processorreceives at least a first invitation to participate in a ring-in game.

It is an another object of the present invention to provide a networkfor conducting a ring-in game comprising a wireless communicationsdevice capable of being invited to participate in the ring-in game viathe network, a memory capable of storing an electronic personalidentification number associated with the ring-in game, and a mainprocessor associated with the memory capable of communicating with thewireless network, wherein the main processor receives at least a firstinvitation to participate in a ring-in game.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a methodfor conducting a ring-in game including providing an electronic personalidentification number associated with the purchase of goods and servicesunrelated to the ring-in game, providing at least one wirelesscommunications device capable of being invited to participate in thering-in game via a wireless network, providing readable and writeabledigital storage means for storing digital data related to the ring-ingame and the goods and services unrelated to the ring-in game, andproviding a plurality of Internet cafe sites capable of datacommunication with the at least one wireless communications device.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the method forconducting a ring-in game includes providing at least one data centerfor storing and retrieving data associated with a website and capable ofdata communication with the Internet cafe and the at least one wirelesscommunications device, providing at least one access system capable ofdata communication with the at least one wireless communications device,the Internet cafe, and the data center, placing the wirelesscommunications device, the Internet cafe, the data center, the accesssystem, and the means for activating and reactivating the electronicpersonal identification module in data communication, providing an entryinto a corresponding number of entry units into the ring-in game,playing the ring-in game on the wireless communications device, inresponse to an invitation to join the ring-in game via the wirelessnetwork, and displaying the results of the ring-in game selection on adisplay of the wireless communications device.

These and other advantages and features of the present invention willbecome readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination ofthe subsequent detailed description and accompanying drawings.Accordingly additional advantages and features of the present inventionand the scope thereof are pointed out with particularity in the claimsand form a part hereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are setforth in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, as well asa preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof,will best be understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a graphical representation of an exemplary sweepstakesnetwork, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a graphical representation of the wireless communicationsdevice of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention;and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of an exemplary ring-insweepstakes game, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made to the following detailed description of theexemplary embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the artwill recognize that the present invention provides many inventiveconcepts and novel features, that are merely illustrative, and are notto be construed as restrictive. Accordingly, the specific embodimentsdiscussed herein are given by way of example and do not limit the scopeof the present invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1 in the drawings, a preferred embodiment of asweepstakes network 100 according to the present invention isillustrated. Sweepstakes network 100 comprises an Internet cafe 110, adata center 130, an access system 150, an Internet 160, and a wirelesscommunications device 200. Wireless communication device 200 is capableof accessing Internet cafe 110 via RF communication link 201 or viaInternet 160 through communication link 161, as described in more detailbelow. Internet cafe 110 comprises a plurality of terminals 114 and atleast one point of sale (POS) terminal 120, networked together via acommunication link 119. In addition, Internet cafe 110 is networked viaa communication link 131 to data center 130 and networked to theInternet 160 via communication link 161. Additionally, Internet cafe 110further comprises at least one personal identification (PID) card 112,which is preferably similar to a credit card, including a digitalstorage means, such as a magnetic strip, located, for example, on theback of PID card 112. However, it should be understood that PID card 112and the digital storage means may be any of a wide variety of digitalstorage devices, including diskettes, memory cards, memory sticks, orany other suitable digital data storage and transfer devices. Before PIDcard 112 can be redeemed for valuable goods and services, PID card 112must be activated, as described in more detail below. Internet cafe 110may be, for example, any point-of-sale retail site offering goods and/orservices to users, including phone supplies, wireless access, computeruse or the like.

Data center 130 comprises a database server 132 and a web server 134,networked together via a communication link 133. In addition, datacenter 130 is networked via communication link 131 to Internet cafe 110,networked via communication link 151 to access system 150, and networkedto the Internet 160 via communication link 163.

Access system 150 comprises one or more access systems, such as, forexample, phone access system 170, wireless access system 180, andInternet access system 190. The scope of the present invention, however,encompasses other additional or alternative access systems within accesssystem 150. In addition, access system 150 is networked viacommunication link 151 to data center 130 and networked to the Internet160 via communication link 165. In the illustrated embodiment, Internetaccess system 190 comprises database server 192, database 194, andmanagement terminal 196. In addition, database server 192 is networkedvia communication link 193 to database 194 which is networked viacommunication link 195 to management terminal 196. Additionally, phoneaccess system 170 and wireless access system 180 each may comprise adatabase server (not shown), a database (not shown), and a managementterminal (not shown), similar to those shown and described in relationto Internet access system 190.

In addition, Internet cafe 110 may be networked together, and may benetworked to data center 130, access system 150, or both, bycommunication links 131 and 151 or communication links 161, 163, and 165via Internet 160. Communication links 119, 131, 133, 151, 161, 163, 165,193 and 195 may comprise modems, telephone lines, the Internet,satellites, wireless connections, or any combination thereof for sendingand receiving digital data and signals. Communication links 119, 131,133, 151, 161, 163, 165, 193 and 195 provide a fast, efficient,reliable, and secure means for transferring digital data betweenInternet cafe 110, data center 130, access system 150 and Internet 160.

In one embodiment of the present invention, selected data isperiodically transferred back and forth between Internet cafe 110 anddata center 130 via communication link 131. For example, the number ofpersonal identification numbers (PINs) available for activation and thenumber, type, and amount of accumulated transactions may be reported byeach Internet cafe 110 to at least one data center 130 at apredetermined basis, i.e. an hourly basis. If the number of PINsavailable at one Internet cafe 110 reaches a predetermined number, thendata center 130 transfers more PINs to that Internet cafe 110. Thisperiodic polling of Internet cafe 110 ensures that data center 130always has enough computing capacity to continuously conduct and controlthe sweepstakes games. In addition, Internet cafe 110 may be polled oralternatively may send the data periodically to at least one data center130.

It will be appreciated that in alternate embodiments the functions andoperations of Internet cafe 110, data center 130, access system 150, andInternet 160 may be combined in different configurations into one ormore networks and/or one or more servers located either at Internet cafe110 or remote from Internet cafe 110.

Referring now to FIG. 2 in the drawings, an exemplary wirelesscommunications device 200, according to the present invention isillustrated in greater detail. Wireless communications device 200comprises an antenna 205, a transmit/receive (TX/RX) circuitry 210, aspeaker/microphone 215, a main processor 220, a display/keypad 225, anda memory 230. Memory 230 comprises a basic operating system (OS) program232 and an electronic personal identification (ePID) module 234. TheePID module 234 comprises an ePID program 235, which is a subroutinethat provides a digital storage means for electronically tracking andstoring electronic personal identification in ePID module 234.

TX/RX circuitry 210 receives from antenna 205 an incoming signaltransmitted by for example, Internet cafe 110 or by a wireless networkprovider via Internet 160. TX/RX circuitry 210 processes and sends theincoming signal to the speaker (i.e., voice data) or to main processor220 for further processing (e.g., web browsing, interactive video gamedata). Likewise TX/RX circuitry 210 receives analog or digital voicedata from the microphone or other outgoing data (e.g., web data, e-mail,interactive video game data) from main processor 230. TX/RX circuitry210 transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal that is transmitted viaantenna 205.

In one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, main processor220 is a microprocessor or microcontroller. Memory 230 is coupled tomain processor 220. According to an advantageous embodiment of thepresent invention, part of memory 230 comprises a random access memory(RAM) and another part of memory 230 comprises a Flash memory, whichacts as a read-only memory (ROM).

Main processor 220 executes basic operating system (OS) program 232stored in memory 230 in order to control the overall operation ofwireless communication device 200. For example, main processor 220controls the reception of signals and the transmission of signals byTX/RX circuitry 210, in accordance with well-known principles. Mainprocessor 220 is capable of executing other processes and programsresident in memory 220; including ePID module 234 and ePID program 235.Main processor 230 may move data into or out of memory 230, as requiredby an executing process. Main processor 220 is also coupled todisplay/keypad 225. The user of wireless communications device 200 usesthe keypad to enter data into wireless communications device 200. Thedisplay may be a liquid crystal display capable of rendering text and/orat least various graphics from Internet cafe 110 and/or Internet 160.Alternate embodiments may use other types of displays.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, ePID module 234 isprimarily responsible for establishing and maintaining an electronicpersonal identification number (ePIN) in memory 230. Before ePID module234 can be used to place telephone calls, access the Internet, or thelike, ePID module 234 must be activated. Activation of ePID module 234is performed by establishing communication with Internet cafe 110 orInternet 160 via RF communication link 201 and writing an ePIN in memory230. It will be appreciated that it is not necessary that ePID module234 be used at the same Internet cafe 110 at which ePID module 234 wasactivated. Should the user choose to participate in a ring-insweepstakes game, ePID module 234 may be used at any time, location, orat any Internet cafe 110, provided the ePIN associated with ePID module234 has not expired (for instances in which the ePIN associated withePID module 234 includes an expiration date).

It is understood that wireless communications device 200 is given by wayof example and that for simplicity and clarity, only so much of theconstruction and operation of wireless communications device 200 as isunique to the present invention or necessary for an understanding of thepresent invention is shown and described. Moreover, although wirelesscommunications device 200 is shown as having an ePID module 234 inmemory 230, in an alternate embodiment wireless communications device200 comprises the ability to transfer the ePIN into the random accessmemory associated with memory 230. In another alternate embodiment, thering-in sweepstakes game is capable of being loaded into the randomaccess memory associated with memory 230 and is further capable of beingdisplayed on the display of wireless communications device.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a network provider,such as for example a wireless network provider, of wirelesscommunications device 200, may provide its members with ePIN's and/orrecharge ePID module 234 at a predetermined time, for example at theexecution of a contract for network services, upon receipt of paymentfor monthly services, or at any other predetermined times. In addition,or as an alternative, a wireless network provider, of wirelesscommunications device 200, may allow its members to redeem ePIN's and/orrecharge ePID module 234 in exchange for rollover minutes or redeem forany other type of promotional offer made by the wireless networkprovider. In addition, a wireless network provider, of wirelesscommunications device 200, may provide its members with ePIN's and/orrecharge ePID module 234 as a reward for access time purchased at eitherfixed time increments or excess time above the contractually agreedamount of time for network services. Accordingly, ePID module 234 ofwireless communications device 200 may be used for: (1) prepaid accesstime including phone time, Internet access time, wireless network accesstime and other like access time; (2) purchase of products andmerchandise located either at Internet cafe 110, the network provider,or through Internet 160; (3) generating free sweepstakes entries intothe ring-in sweepstakes game; (4) awarding promotional ring-insweepstakes game points; and (5) redeeming winning points at theInternet cafe 110 location or through Internet 160.

FIG. 3 is a high-level flow diagram 300, illustrating the operation ofan exemplary ring-in sweepstakes game according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. Participation in the ring-in sweepstakes game beginswith an initiation step 302, in which the user registers for the ring-insweepstakes game. The user of wireless communications device 200 maypurchase a PID card 112 for valuable goods and services and decide toenter the optional sweepstakes, such as for example, the ring-insweepstakes game. At step 302, the user registers for the ring-insweepstakes game via a website, for example, “www.hello-money.com”, inwhich the user also includes a valid wireless communications devicephone number. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, theuser may register for the ring-in sweepstakes game via a website andinclude an email address, a text message address, a “land-line” phonenumber, or any other address or phone number as contact information forthe ring-in sweepstakes game. The website for registering for thering-in sweepstakes game may be maintained in web server 134 of datacenter 130, or any other website hosting service, according toparticular needs.

Then, at step 304, data center 130 acknowledges the user registrationfor the ring-in sweepstakes game in process step 302 or, if the user isalready registered for the ring-in sweepstakes game, data center 130sends an acknowledgment message, such as for example, a text message, tothe user through the Internet via communications link 163. Although atext message is described as performing the acknowledgement of the userregistration for the ring-in sweepstakes game, the present inventioncontemplates any suitable message or combination of messages sent to theuser as an acknowledgement message.

Next, at step 306, web server 134 of data center 130, initiates aring-in sweepstakes game with wireless communications device 200, suchas for example Texas Hold-em poker sweepstakes game, or any other typeof sweepstakes game. Web server 134 rings wireless communications device200 to invite the user to participate in the ring-in sweepstakes game.The ring-in may cause wireless communications device to ring and providea pre-recorded voice message, provide a text message, initiate ePIDmodule 234 to display an invitation message on the display, or any othertype of action taken by wireless communications device 200 to invite theuser of wireless communications device 200 to join the ring-insweepstakes game. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention,the user of wireless communications device 200 may be given apredetermined time period in which to respond to the invitation to jointhe ring-in sweepstakes game. In addition or as an alternative, thering-in may provide the user with information about the type of ring-insweepstakes game, the duration of the sweepstakes game, and the odds ofwinning the sweepstakes game.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the user ofwireless communications device 200 may be provided with an option toparticipate in the ring-in sweepstakes game via another access terminalother than wireless communications device 200. As an example and not byway of limitation, the user of wireless communications device 200 mayparticipate in the ring-in sweepstakes game via a desktop computer, alaptop computer, or any other type of access terminal operable to playthe ring-in sweepstakes game. Accordingly, if the user of wirelesscommunications device 200 chooses to utilize another access terminal,then the ring-in may provide a password or code to the user of wirelesscommunications device 200, including a predetermined time period inwhich to respond to the invitation to join the ring-in sweepstakes game,via the other access terminal. For example, the user of wirelesscommunications device 200 may utilize a desktop computer to access awebsite via the Internet or other network system, associated with thering-in sweepstakes game, including logging into the ring-in sweepstakesgame using the given password or code.

Next, at step 308, the user of wireless communications device 200responds to the invitation to join the ring-in sweepstakes game, in anappropriate time frame and enters the ring-in sweepstakes game. Then instep 310, ePID module 234 is used by wireless communications device 200and ePID program 235 to display the status of the quantity ofpromotional sweepstakes points. During step 310, selected images aredisplayed at selected portions of the display of wireless communicationsdevice 200 at selected times. As set forth above, the number of minutesof access time currently available on ePID module 234 may be displayedon a first portion of the display, the number or amount of promotionalsweepstakes entries available on ePID module 234 may be displayed on asecond portion of the display, the number or amount of credits or “wins”currently available on ePID module 234 may be displayed on a thirdportion of the display, and the status of the current ring-insweepstakes game in progress may be displayed on a fourth portion of thevideo display. In this manner, the function of ePID module 234 issubstantially similar to the operation of PID card 112, as describedabove.

Although an example sweepstakes game has been described as a TexasHold-em poker sweepstakes game with a single user of wirelesscommunications device 200, the present invention contemplates anysuitable type or style of ring-in sweepstakes game. For example, webserver 134 of data center 130, may initiate a ring-in sweepstakes gamewith multiple wireless communications devices. The ring-in sweepstakesgame may be initiated with a series of qualification rounds invitingmultiple users to join in the ring-in sweepstakes game. In addition oras an alternative, web server 134 of data center 130 may invite thewinners of the qualification rounds to join multiple playoff rounds andeven a championship round. In this manner, web server 134 of data center130 may initiate multiple ring-in sweepstakes game involving multipleusers.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the ring-insweepstakes game may be initiated by wireless communications device 200.In this manner, wireless network device 200 initiates the ring-insweepstakes game and may invite web server 134 of data center 130 toplay (i.e. the user of wireless network device 200 plays against thecomputer), or any wireless communication device registered for thering-in sweepstakes game (i.e. the user of wireless network device 200plays against other users on a peer to peer network).

The process continues with step 312, in which the user joins the ring-insweepstakes game. This is done by selecting one of the designatedgraphical images on the display of wireless communications device 200,depicting the desired ring-in sweepstakes game. Initiation of the gamecauses main processor 220 and ePID program 235 of ePID module 234 ofwireless communications device 200 to send signals and/or data over RFcommunication link 201 to web server 134 of data center 130. Also, afterinitiating the game, either main processor 220 or ePID program 235 ofePID module 234 in communication with web server 134 of data center 130will cause the display of wireless communications device 200 to initiatea simulation of the ring-in sweepstakes game being played. For example,if a Texas Hold-em poker sweepstakes game had been initiated; graphicalimages or movies may be displayed to simulate the poker game beingplayed at preprogrammed intervals.

Then, in calculation step 314, web server 134 of data center 130calculates and determines how many, if any, prizes are to be awarded forthat play. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, ePIDmodule 234 is not preprogrammed at the time of sale and registrationwith any winning or losing combination of data. The user must choose toparticipate in the optional promotional ring-in sweepstakes game andsubmit an entry via a website in order to play the sweepstakes game andwin any prizes. Accordingly, the calculations and determinations ofprizes are conducted by web server 134 of data center 130 and arepromotional ring-in sweepstakes game in response to entries made byusers from wireless communications devices. In an alternate embodimentof the present invention, ePID module 234 is preprogrammed at the timeof sale and registration with a predetermined winning and losingcombination of data. Thus, the user may choose to participate in theoptional promotional ring-in sweepstakes game or the user may merelychoose to communicate with instant validation terminal 115 a to win anyprizes. Accordingly, the calculations and determinations of prizes arepredetermined and preprogrammed on ePID module 234 at the time ofactivation.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, after web server134 of data center 130 calculates and determines whether a prize hasbeen won, the process continues, in which web server 134 of data center130 transmits selected digital signals and data to the appropriatewireless communications device 200 via RF communication link 201. Oncethe data has been received by wireless communications device 200, mainprocessor 220 and ePID program 235 of ePID module 234 may causecorresponding audio and video messages, such as “You're a Winner!” or“You're Advanced to the Next Round!” to be displayed on the display ofwireless communications device 200. In addition, main processor 220 andePID program 235 of ePID module 234 may activate graphics and thespeaker to enhance the experience of playing the ring-in sweepstakesgame. After each ring-in sweepstakes game session, the process continueswith an inquiry step 316, in which a determination is made as to whetherthe user may advance to the next round and if the user wishes tocontinue to play the next round of the ring-in sweepstakes game. If theuser decides to continue to play the next round of the ring-insweepstakes game, the process continues back to step 306, in which theuser awaits web server 134 of data center 130 to initiate the next roundof the ring-in sweepstakes game. On the other hand, if the user decidesnot to continue playing the next round of the ring-in sweepstakes game,or if the user did not advance to the next round, the process ends withstep 318.

Finally, as represented by step 318, when the user decides to end thering-in sweepstakes game, the user may depress a portion of the displaythat is displaying a graphical image depicting end ring-in sweepstakesgame or the user may use the keypad of wireless communications device200, thereby sending corresponding signals and data to ePID module 234identifying that the user no longer wishes to participate in the ring-insweepstakes game. This causes ePID program 235 on wirelesscommunications device 200 to write the final status to ePID module 234.ePID module 234 may then be used to access time for example to placetelephone calls or access the Internet via wireless communicationsdevice 200.

It is understood that other operations can be implemented within thescope of the invention. It is also understood that the sequence of theoperation shown can be varied without departing from the scope orprinciples of the present invention.

It is apparent that an invention with significant advantages has beendescribed and illustrated. Although the present invention is shown in alimited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but isamenable to various changes and modifications without departing from thespirit thereof.

1. For use in a wireless network, a wireless communications devicecapable of being invited to participate in a ring-in game via thewireless network, the wireless communications device comprising: amemory capable of storing an electronic personal identification numberassociated with the ring-in game; and a main processor associated withthe memory capable of communicating with the wireless network, whereinthe main processor receives at least a first invitation to participatein a ring-in game.
 2. The wireless communications device according toclaim 1, wherein the electronic personal identification number isassociated with the purchase of goods and services unrelated to thering-in game.
 3. The wireless communications device according to claim1, wherein the memory comprises an electronic personal identificationmodule capable of maintaining the personal identification number in thememory of the wireless communications device.
 4. The wirelesscommunications device according to claim 3, wherein the electronicpersonal identification module comprises an electronic personalidentification program capable of providing a digital storage means forelectronically tracking and storing electronic personal identificationin the electronic personal identification module.
 5. The wirelesscommunications device according to claim 3, wherein the electronicpersonal identification module is capable of being activated by at leastone website at one of a plurality of data centers of the wirelessnetwork.
 6. The wireless communications device according to claim 3,wherein the electronic personal identification module is capable of datacommunication with at least one access system of the wireless networkfor storing and retrieving access time associated with the electronicpersonal identification number.
 7. The wireless communications deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein a user of the wireless communicationsdevice responds to the invitation to join the ring-in game and the mainprocessor of the wireless communications device initiates the ring-ingame on the display of the wireless communications device.
 8. Thewireless communications device according to claim 1, wherein thewireless communications device is a cellular telephone.
 9. A network forconducting a ring-in game comprising: a wireless communications devicecapable of being invited to participate in the ring-in game via thenetwork; a memory capable of storing an electronic personalidentification number associated with the ring-in game; and a mainprocessor associated with the memory capable of communicating with thewireless network, wherein the main processor receives at least a firstinvitation to participate in a ring-in game.
 10. The network accordingto claim 9, further comprising: a plurality of Internet cafe sitescapable of data communication with at least one wireless communicationsdevice; at least one data center capable of data communication with theplurality of Internet cafe sites and the at least one wirelesscommunications device; and at least one access system capable of datacommunication with the plurality of Internet cafe sites, the at leastone data center, and the at least one wireless communications device.11. The network according to claim 10, wherein at least one of theplurality of Internet cafe sites further comprises: at least onepersonal identification card purchaseable for goods and servicesunrelated to the sweepstakes at the plurality of Internet cafe sites; anelectronic personal identification number associated with the at leastone personal identification card; and readable and writeable digitalstorage means for storing digital data related to the sweepstakes andthe goods and services unrelated to the sweepstakes.
 12. The networkaccording to claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of Internetcafe sites further comprises: at least one sweepstakes terminal capableof data communications with at least one point of sale terminalassociated with the Internet cafe.
 13. The network according to claim12, wherein the at least one sweepstakes terminal comprises: readableand writeable means for accessing digital data associated with the atleast one personal identification card; means for playing at least onesweepstakes game; wherein, upon playing at least one sweepstakes game,the user may redeem any winnings for additional access time at anyappropriate time while playing the at least one sweepstakes game. 14.The network according to claim 12, wherein the Internet cafe furthercomprises at least one instant validation terminal comprising: readableand writeable means for accessing digital data associated with the atleast one personal identification card; wherein, upon accessing digitaldata associated with the at least one personal identification card, aninstant validation is performed upon any predetermined winnings providedat the time of activation of the at least one personal identificationcard.
 15. The network according to claim 14, wherein the at least oneinstant validation terminal further comprises: communication means foraccessing digital data associated with the at least one wirelesscommunications device; wherein, upon communication with the digital dataassociated with the at least one wireless communications device, aninstant validation is performed upon any predetermined winnings providedat the time of activation of the electronic personal identificationmodule in the wireless communications device.
 16. The network accordingto claim 9, wherein the wireless communications device furthercomprises: readable and writeable means for accessing digital dataassociated with the electronic personal identification number; means forplaying the ring-in game; means for updating the electronic personalidentification module with the sweepstakes results; and means for datacommunication with at least one access system for storing and purchasingaccess time associated with the electronic personal identificationmodule; wherein upon purchase of access time from at least one of the atleast one access systems, an entry is provided into the ring-in game anda corresponding number of entry units is provided for correspondingaccess time purchased unrelated to the ring-in game.
 17. The networkaccording to claim 9, wherein the ring-in game is a Texas Hold-em pokergame.
 18. A method for conducting a ring-in game comprising the stepsof: providing an electronic personal identification number associatedwith the purchase of goods and services unrelated to the ring-in game;providing at least one wireless communications device capable of beinginvited to participate in the ring-in game via a wireless network;providing readable and writeable digital storage means for storingdigital data related to the ring-in game and the goods and servicesunrelated to the ring-in game; providing a plurality of Internet cafesites capable of data communication with the at least one wirelesscommunications device; providing at least one data center for storingand retrieving data associated with a website and capable of datacommunication with the Internet cafe and the at least one wirelesscommunications device; providing at least one access system capable ofdata communication with the at least one wireless communications device,the Internet cafe, and the data center; placing the wirelesscommunications device, the Internet cafe, the data center, the accesssystem, and the means for activating and reactivating the electronicpersonal identification module in data communication; providing an entryinto a corresponding number of entry units into the ring-in game;playing the ring-in game on the wireless communications device, inresponse to an invitation to join the ring-in game via the wirelessnetwork; and displaying the results of the ring-in game selection on adisplay of the wireless communications device.
 19. The method accordingto claim 18, further comprising the steps of: providing means forreactivating the electronic personal identification module via thewireless network; reactivating the electronic personal identificationmodule for additional goods and services unrelated to the ring-in game;and providing a corresponding number of entry units into the ring-ingame.
 20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the goods andservices unrelated to the ring-in game are associated with the accesssystem and comprise at least one of prepaid wireless phone access time,prepaid wireless network access time, or prepaid Internet access time.